Have you ever had a doctor tell you to put an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on an injury? R.I.C.E., a mnemonic that stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation, is the recommended treatment for many soft-tissue injuries, including strains, sprains, pulled muscles, pulled ligaments, and pain and swelling after surgery. The ice reduces pain and swelling and speeds up healing.
Cold compression therapy takes this one step further by providing cold therapy and compression at the same time. Continuous cold therapy devices, or ice machines, circulate ice water through a pad. They are designed to lower the temperature of injured tissue in order to reduce the tissue’s metabolic rate during healing. These devices are more effective than using an ice pack or bag of frozen peas. However, unfortunately, the devices are also associated with severe side effects.
Cold Therapy Injuries and Side Effects
- Loss of circulation to the area being treated
- Skin damage
- Peripheral nerve injury
- Chronic pain
- Tingling or numbness
- Frostbite
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Tissue damage
- Permanent nerve damage
- Tissue death or necrosis
- Infection
- Amputation
These effects occur when a patient uses the machine for too long, the skin becomes super-cooled, and the body decreases blood flow to the area. Side effects can occur in as little as one hour. Because these side effects are so serious, the FDA has warned manufacturers of continuous cold therapy devices about the lack of temperature control and clear directions. EB Ice, Breg Polar Care, and Donjoy Iceman have received warnings from the FDA. At least one device, the Breg Polar Care machine, has been recalled.
If you have suffered an injury after using a cryotherapy machine, we urge you to speak to a Salt Lake City defective medical device attorney. You may be eligible for compensation for medical your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your injuries. To learn more about Utah cold therapy lawsuits, contact the James Esparza Law Firm at 800-745-4050, and ask to schedule a free consultation with an SLC personal injury lawyer.